“Ten years ago today," wrote April and Matt on May 26, 2023, “you were a central figure in a ceremony that ended up meaning more to us than we had imagined." “You turned the ceremony from a step in the wedding process to a moment full of meaning." As my very first “official" couple after launching Grace Ceremonies in 2013, Matt and April were responding to my invitation to reflect on a decade of marriage, and what their wedding ceremony meant to them — then and now. The couple shared, “We had assumed the reception would be the part of the wedding that would stay with us ten years later, but instead it's the feeling of standing across from each other as we made our commitment." Even back then I knew that more than any wonderful script I might write or fabulous delivery I might execute, the best ceremonies help couples through the process of wedding. In April and Matt's words, “We laid out our plan for transitioning from a long-term monogamous couple to husband and wife." Almost every aspect of wedding planning is about a day — an event — but the ceremony is about creating a marriage: a shared commitment that begins before the wedding and continues for a lifetime. I ask questions that guide couples in better understanding their relationship, clarifying their values and articulating their aspirations as marriage partners. As Matt and April explained, “Centering these ideas started from our first meeting with you. The questions you laid out sparked some important conversations that laid a framework for us to this day. Thank you." As April and Matt's 10th wedding anniversary approached, I asked the couple five questions about their wedding, vows, anniversaries and ten years of marriage. They graciously responded, adding: “We are happy to once again lean on your questions to give us a moment to pause and reflect together." Hannah: What is your favorite memory from your wedding day? |